The FTSE 100 has started tentatively on the front foot following mixed performances on Wall Street and Asian markets overnight. Shortly after the open, the blue chip index was up 7 points at 8,785.
Barratt Redrow is the top riser, gaining more than 6%, after its interim results and update of strategic targets.
Following last year's merger, the enlarged company plans to make shareholder returns, including £100 million of share buybacks per year based on a new annual 22,000 homes sales target.
Precious metals miners Fresnillo and Endeavour Mining are at the bottom of the list as the gold price retreats below $2,900 per oz.
Meanwhile, Close Brothers Group PLC said it will make a £165 million provision relating to motor finance commissions, which is smaller than many analysts' estimates. This will reduce the group's CET1 capital ratio from 13.5% to 12.0%, which is well above the regulatory requirement of 9.7%.
And Surgical Innovations Group shares jumped 20% in the first hour of trading after the company reported a profitable second half of 2024, marking a successful turnaround.
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